Business Analyst Consultants: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of business analyst consultants about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for business analyst consultants to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of business analyst consultants expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for business analyst consultants.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Business Analyst Consultants?
Do business analyst consultants need a degree? What kind of experience do business analyst consultants typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for business analyst consultants to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Business Analyst Consultants
Jobs Postings for Business Analyst Consultants By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 240,529 (55%)
- No Education Listed: 106,793 (24%)
- Master's degree: 64,805 (15%)
- High School or GED: 19,727 (4%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 8,853 (2%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of business analyst consultants. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 55% of positions. In 24% of job listings no education level was listed and in 15% of postings a master's degree was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Business Analyst Consultants
Jobs Postings for Business Analyst Consultants By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 31,063 (12%)
- 2-3 Years: 84,356 (32%)
- 4-6 Years: 92,902 (36%)
- 7-9 Years: 29,841 (11%)
- 10+ Years: 22,357 (9%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for business analyst consultants. In 36% of job postings for Business Analyst Consultants, employers were looking for candidates with 4-6 years of experience. In 32% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 0-1 years of experience was sought in 12% of job postings for business analyst consultants.
What Kind of Degree Do Business Analyst Consultants Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for business analyst consultants, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 25 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective business analyst consultants, and in 2021 a total of 534,436 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective business analyst consultants.
Top Degree Programs for Business Analyst Consultants
Top 5 Degree Programs for Business Analyst Consultants (2021)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management, General. | 351,860 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | 55,970 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | 34,937 |
| Organizational Leadership. | 15,128 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other. | 14,224 |
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management, General. | 351,860 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | 55,970 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | 34,937 |
| Organizational Leadership. | 15,128 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other. | 14,224 |
| Management Information Systems, General. | 11,636 |
| Environmental Studies. | 9,893 |
| Environmental Science. | 9,231 |
| Operations Management and Supervision. | 7,115 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | 4,791 |
| Manufacturing Engineering Technology/Technician. | 4,769 |
| Project Management. | 4,155 |
| Health Services Administration. | 3,027 |
| Natural Resources/Conservation, General. | 2,821 |
| Accounting and Business/Management. | 1,537 |
| Business Analytics. | 823 |
| Accounting and Related Services, Other. | 814 |
| Data Analytics, General. | 493 |
| Management Information Systems and Services, Other. | 476 |
| Applied Statistics, General. | 464 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research, Other. | 242 |
| Financial Analytics. | 13 |
| Institutional Research. | 8 |
| Data Analytics, Other. | 7 |
| Data Visualization. | 2 |
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Business Analyst Consultants
With an associate of science in business administration degree, you’ll dig into the functional areas of business and learn how to connect each function with the others to advance business goals and further outcomes while you prepare for a variety of roles in operations, sales, management and coordination.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Gain college credit for your training and work experience and prepare to move into management or grow your small business.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
Build a strong foundation of real-world business knowledge suitable for a variety of career options in your industry of choice.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
Become a transformative, motivational leader in any work environment using performance-improvement and team-building methods.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Class Type: 100% online
- Years To Complete: 3
Get theory-to-practice knowledge in data management, data visualization and data-informed decision making to improve efficiency and effectiveness in all areas of business with Franklin’s online accredited MBA with a Specialization in Business Analytics.
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Develop into a well-rounded, adaptive and strategic business leader with a comprehensive mindset.
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do Business Analyst Consultants Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by business analyst consultants to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for business analyst consultants, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Business Analyst Consultants
Based on 370,107 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Business Analyst Consultants
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management | 104,692 | 28% |
| Business Process | 81,108 | 22% |
| Data Analysis | 65,070 | 18% |
| Business Requirements | 61,657 | 17% |
| Finance | 59,099 | 16% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Business Analyst Consultants
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 179,542 | 49% |
| Management | 151,544 | 41% |
| Problem Solving | 92,604 | 25% |
| Leadership | 92,602 | 25% |
| Operations | 90,855 | 25% |
Based on 370,107 job postings related to business analyst consultants, project management was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 28% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for business process, data analysis, business requirements, finance and agile methodology were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communications was the most desired skill found in job postings for business analyst consultants, followed by management, problem solving, leadership, operations and microsoft excel.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management | 104,692 | 28% |
| Business Process | 81,108 | 22% |
| Data Analysis | 65,070 | 18% |
| Business Requirements | 61,657 | 17% |
| Finance | 59,099 | 16% |
| Agile Methodology | 56,495 | 15% |
| Business Analysis | 52,638 | 14% |
| SQL (Programming Language) | 50,167 | 14% |
| Process Improvement | 49,139 | 13% |
| Workflow Management | 43,850 | 12% |
| Computer Science | 40,953 | 11% |
| Accounting | 37,431 | 10% |
| Management Consulting | 36,984 | 10% |
| Marketing | 32,093 | 9% |
| Auditing | 31,316 | 8% |
| Change Management | 29,515 | 8% |
| Scrum (Software Development) | 26,754 | 7% |
| User Story | 25,768 | 7% |
| Microsoft Visio | 25,658 | 7% |
| Automation | 25,194 | 7% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 179,542 | 49% |
| Management | 151,544 | 41% |
| Problem Solving | 92,604 | 25% |
| Leadership | 92,602 | 25% |
| Operations | 90,855 | 25% |
| Microsoft Excel | 86,613 | 23% |
| Planning | 80,245 | 22% |
| Writing | 75,550 | 20% |
| Presentations | 70,284 | 19% |
| Research | 69,035 | 19% |
| Customer Service | 62,963 | 17% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 61,718 | 17% |
| Detail Oriented | 61,556 | 17% |
| Consulting | 56,259 | 15% |
| Microsoft Office | 55,867 | 15% |
| Sales | 51,289 | 14% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 45,616 | 12% |
| Coordinating | 45,499 | 12% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 44,809 | 12% |
| Analytical Skills | 39,544 | 11% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about business analyst consultants? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for business analyst consultants.
What do business analyst consultants do?
How much do business analyst consultants make?
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